Stripy horse seen in Sussex

Is it a bird? is it a plane? No, it's a zorse, or should that be a hebra?

This horse X zebra is called Tango, and he's living a happy life in Arundel, West Sussex. Owned by a member of VivaPets.com, Tango stands at 13.3hh and joined his current family in 2005.

According to his 15-year-old owner, Aleathea Hill, he loves cuddles, the beach, playing with Coca Cola bottles (he's quite partial to the fizzy contents too) and his family. His favourite pastime is sleeping. He doesn't like puddles and has rather taken against Aleathea's dad!

He follows Aleathea around by holding on to her pony tail. To see more of Tango, go to his VivaPets page.

If you'd like to become a member of VivaPets and show off your loved/unusual/adorable pets click here.

Horsemart.co.uk is the UK's leading classified website, with 1000s of horses for sale.

Cloned horse has healthy foal

The world's first cloned horse, Prometea, has had a foal. Her son, Pegaso, is the first offspring of an equine clone and it proves once again that cloned animals can grow and reproduce normally, and give birth to healthy offspring.

Prometea was announced as the world’s first horse clone in 2003. This cloning process is seen by many as a way to preserve the genetic heritage of exceptional geldings.

"During these five years Prometea has been in very good health and often at the centre of media attention," says her creator, Prof Cesare Galli of the Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies in Cremona.

"The ultimate proof of her normality has just come with the birth of Pegaso, on March 17th 2008, after a single insemination with the semen of the Haflinger stallion Abendfurst."

Pegaso will be of particular interest to the racing industry, as sporting horses are castrated at an early age. "When they become adult and demonstrate to be champion horses, they are unable to reproduce and it is therefore impossible to obtain the next generation: the champion’s offspring," says Prof Galli.

"This is a bitter reality that clashes with the driving principle of animal breeding and selection that is based on the reproduction of superior individuals to pursue genetic improvement of the breed. Therefore, today, horse cloning is simply an assisted reproduction technique that allows us to obtain copies/clones of castrated champion horses and finally, from these clones, the champion's offspring that otherwise would never be born."

Horsemart.co.uk is the place for buying and selling horses, horseboxes and all equestrian items. From stables to tack, clothing to equestrian property, you'll find it here.

Hickstead event axed due to stroppy parents

A children’s showjumping event has been cancelled after parents threatened the organisers.

A decision was made by organisers of the British Jumping Derby Meeting at Hickstead, West Sussex, to move the Junior and Pony Masters section to the less glamorous Ring 2 at the competition in June.

Upset that their children wouldn’t be in the limelight of the main arena, angry parents became abusive towards show staff.

Lizzie Bunn, director of the showground, told the Times: “It wasn’t the children, it was the parents coming at us because their ‘little darlings’ weren’t able to compete. We had screaming rows. They verbally abused and threatened staff. I felt like throwing them out. Because they weren’t getting their own way, they were trying to throw their weight around. They came up to staff and told them their children were in floods of tears because the event had been moved. I told them they didn’t have to jump if they didn’t want to. The behaviour was intolerable. I thought, ‘We’re not putting up with it’.”

Mrs Bunn is now concentrating on events for older people instead. She said: “Maybe the parents will learn and in a few years we will reinstate the classes. Unfortunately, I think it’s a sign of the times across all sports.”

Horsemart.co.uk, for horses, horseboxes, trailers, equestrian clothing, riding instructors, equestrian insurers, riding equipment and so much more.

The Brooke launches ‘Horses in Need’ campaign

The Brooke is the UK's largest overseas equine welfare charity, and it is urging British horse lovers to help needy equines around the world this summer.

July is national ‘Horses in Need’ month. This is the second year of national campaign and the public are being asked to come up with fun fund-raising ideas, to help end the suffering of millions of animals.

Every penny raised will help a needy horse, pony or donkey – £1 could buy seven hoof picks; £5 could pay for 10 anti-rabies vaccinations; £20 could purchase 10 boxes of painkillers. £100 could fund a two-day clinic in a brick kiln in Pakistan; £365 could pay for a mobile vet and training team to be on the road for a week.

If you sign up for Horses in Need 2008, you will automatically be given an online fundraising page, and will be sent a fundraising pack with ideas to get you started. And as a reward for your efforts, The Brooke is also offering prizes to its fundraisers.

For more information or to register call 0845 3670999 or visit www.thebrooke.org/hin

Horsemart.co.uk is the UK's leading classified website, with 1000s of horses for sale.

Horsemart's in Tesco!

Horsemart just keeps getting better and better, even if we do say so ourselves.

And now, because we're nice people and we want to make life more convenient for you, it's getting easier and easier to get hold of your copy of the national magazine.

For the glorious spring month of May you can pick up your copy of National Horsemart from Tesco stores the length and breadth of the country.

It's out now, so don't delay, pop one in your shopping bag today!

(Blimey I'm good - seriously, with catchy slogans like that I could rule the world.)

Horsemart.co.uk is the place for buying and selling horses, horseboxes and all equestrian items. From stables to tack, clothing to equestrian property, you'll find it here.

Six dead horses dumped in Kent

The bodies of six dead horses have been found dumped next to country lanes in a Kent village over a two-month period.

Residents of Shoreham, near Sevenoaks, believe the horses may have been mistreated before they died and want the matter investigated.

Local man Malcolm Drew, who took the photograph of the dead foal above when he found it early one Sunday morning, described it as a “terrible experience”.

By law, dead horses must be disposed of by someone who is specially registered to remove them.

Another resident, Annette Bovington, said: "It's just absolutely horrid. It's really, really shocking and deeply unpleasant for everybody, and certainly for people out walking footpaths to suddenly come across a dead creature like this."

RSPCA inspector Vikki Dawe told the BBC: "It's obviously distressing for the people that find them, and from our point of view what we are really concerned about is what happens to the horses before they end up in the situation where they are found. We don't know whether they are in a bad condition, whether they have been suffering, whether they have received any veterinary treatment before they died."

Horsemart.co.uk is the UK's leading classified website.

Amersham horses given reprieve

The British Horse Society has expressed its delight at the legal decision to put a stay in place until a High Court appeal is heard, which prevents the return of any of the horses rescued from Spindles Farm, Amersham.

An initial hearing took place on 4th April, when it was ruled by Deputy District Judge Sandeep Kainth at Oxford Magistrates Court that 11 donkeys and 18 Shetland ponies should be returned to Jamie Gray from whom the animals were seized in January.

While Deputy Judge Kainth did not have the power to reverse his original decision, the stay means the horses, ponies and donkeys will be able to remain in the care of the charities that rescued them until an appeal by the RSPCA against his original ruling is heard in the High Court.

BHS Welfare Senior Executive Lee Hackett said: “This is fantastic news. We are delighted that Deputy Judge Kainth has done everything in his power to ensure that the animals involved remain in the best possible hands for the foreseeable future.

“It is an enormous relief that the animals will be able to remain in the care of the numerous charities who have worked so hard to rehabilitate them until the RSPCA appeal is heard. We are fully behind the RSPCA in their appeal and offer our unconditional backing and support.”

The January rescue of more than 100 horses, ponies and donkeys from the premises of Jamie Gray was one of the largest equine welfare operations ever to have take place in the United Kingdom. It saw many different horse welfare organisations working together to seize and subsequently rehabilitate the animals involved.

Horsemart.co.uk is the place for buying and selling horses, horseboxes and all equestrian items. From stables to tack, clothing to equestrian property, you'll find it here.

SJ gets showy

Gone are the days of boring black or red jackets and stuffy commentators. In a bid to attract a younger audience, showjumping's going trendy, yes trendy.

Jackets will be replaced with polo shirts with the riders' names emblazoned across the back. There'll be loud music to encourage audiences to cheer, shout and generally show their appreciation in an enthusiastic manner, live interviews will thrill the crowds and there'll even be dancing girls in the breaks between events.

There will be nine shows this year featuring the new format, starting at Chester Racecourse on 1st August.

Pictured is Ellen Whitaker, sporting a rather lovely red tailored affair. Being the spring chicken she is (a tender 22), she is fully supporting the sport's new image. She told the Mail on Sunday yesterday: "It sounds fantastic. To be able to compete in front of large, younger crowds who are throwing themselves into the whole event, would be brilliant for the sport in general. I'm completely up for this and it's definitely going to work."

Laura's hat

The horsemart.co.uk Men's Confined Race, won by El Viejo and Tom Cannon. Laura and her hat are on the right.

We're attending so many events this season it's getting hard to keep up!

These pics were sent to us on Friday. They were taken at the West Street Tickham point-to-point on 8th March. Horsemart sponsored a couple of races and our lovely Laura went along to enjoy the fun, which was unfortunately not in the sun. It was a good day's racing depite the weather's best efforts to scupper things.

But what we really want to know is, what's up with Laura's hat? Where did her eyes go? How did she see out? Did she, in fact, know where she was, or did she just follow the sound of galloping hooves and hope for the best?

Will we ever know the answers to these questions? It's hard to know. But at least she was toasty.

Horsemart.co.uk is the UK's leading classified website, with 1000s of horses for sale.

Keeping it in the family

History was made yesterday on the final day of the 2008 British Open Show Jumping Championships. The Championship final saw Robert Whitaker take the coveted title riding Lacroix 9, closely followed by his Uncle, Michael Whitaker, and cousin, William Whitaker, who took second and third places respectively.

This is the first time there has ever been a Whitaker, or any showjumping relatives, placed first, second and third in any international event, and is perhaps a sign of things to come from this extremely talented family.

Astonishingly, Robert’s father John finished 5th and cousin Ellen was placed 9th.

Robert said: “It feels great to win the Championship again, and even better that my family are beside me on the podium! I look forward to future family victories and of course, next year’s British Open.”

Horsemart.co.uk, for horses, horseboxes, trailers, equestrian clothing, riding instructors, equestrian insurers, riding equipment and so much more.

Come and join our friendly team!

We're on the hunt for some lovely new sales folk to join our happy bunch!

In this role the right attitude is more important than experience, although previous sales experience is an advantage. The ideal applicant will have a positive, bright and outgoing personality with good organisation and communication skills.

Excellent telephone manner and customer service skills are important, as is a determination to succeed. You should be self motivated and possess the abilities necessary to attract new business. You must also be able to work well as part of a team.

In return for your hard work, commitment and results we will give you an excellent basic salary plus a non-capped commission structure. Other benefits include 25 working days holiday, a company pension (after a qualifying period) and use of our on-site gymnasium. Based in our West Sussex office, you will need your own car as public transport is limited.

Please email your CV and current salary details to tracy.potter@horsemart.co.uk

Come rain or shine...

On a very wet, windy and at times snowy day on Easter Monday, three intrepid members of the Horsemart team ventured out to attend the London Harness Horse Parade at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex.

Despite the weather there was a fantastic turnout of spectators and an even more impressive display of carriages and horses showing off their finery. Battling against the weather the horses all looked spectacular, with their carriages sparkling and their drivers sitting proud.

Sam, Lizzie and Jane attended the show to help promote Horsemart, selling goody bags containing copies of the latest magazines and other little surprises. The day was very successful, with many people coming up for a chat and signing up for our discounted subscription show offer.

The girls were immensely grateful for the cover of our Horsemart trailer, as it provided shelter from the rather unsympathetic elements. They did feel extremely sorry for the lady on the stand next-door who didn't have such a luxury and looked a little wet.

Over all the show was well attended and greatly enjoyed by all the visitors, with the best compliments going out to all the competitors that entered.

Image: Kindly supplied by the LHHP, taken at last year's event when the sun was shining!