The Princess Royal riding in Edinburgh, an Olympic rider going bridleless, and other things the horse world is talking about

The Princess Royal joins historic ride

The Princess Royal was one of nearly 300 riders who took part in a centuries-old ride through Edinburgh on Sunday 14 September – part of a celebration that marked the city’s 900th anniversary. The ride is called the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches, and originated in the 16th century as an important inspection of the city’s boundaries. It has since become a public event that attracts thousands of spectators and celebrates “civic pride, heritage and horsemanship”. We rarely see Princess Anne in the saddle these days and find readers are very enthused whenever she is seen riding in public.

More about the ride the Princess Royal joined

The Olympic eventer riding without a bridle

Olympic event rider Sharon Hunt has been extolling the virtues of schooling without a bridle when it came to finding the key to showjumper Igor – not that we suggest anyone tries this at home without the right support. Sharon told H&H she had tried a variety of tactics to help the horse become happier in the contact, to stretch and open up his frame. She was inspired by those riding high level movements either bitless or without a bridle and doing so has resulted in a eureka moment in her schooling.

“Igor could be sluggish because he struggled to get going, and open his shoulder, then obviously he wasn’t wanting to take me forward,” she said. “And all of that has started to change within a week.”

Read more from Sharon Hunt

Farewell to a hugely influential horseman

The horse world is mourning the death of Jim Lang, described as an “eternal optimist” and influential figure in the hunting world. Jim passed away on 31 July, aged 86. He came to the Burton Hunt as whipper-in at the beginning of the 1966 season and maintained a friendship with the Lockwood family and relationship with the Burton Hunt until the day he died.

Obituary: Jim Lang

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