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Title: Police Seek Witnesses After Dog Attacks Mounted Officers’ Horses in London

Police are appealing for witnesses after two of their horses were attacked by a dog in London. Met Police Mounted Branch officers Sergeant Leon Astley and PC Grace Miller-McCormack were riding the horses, named Yvonne and Snaffles, when they were chased by the dog in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, at around 11.30am on Monday.

The small dog chased the horses and repeatedly made attempts to bite their legs while the pet’s owner struggled to get the animal back under control. Police bodycam footage worn by PC Miller-McCormack shows the small dog running up to the two horses on Shepherd’s Bush Green. The officer is then heard warning that the dog is "going to get kicked" as it begins chasing Yvonne, a 13-year-old grey horse, being ridden by Sergeant Astley.

In the footage, PC Miller-McCormack is later heard saying "get away" as the dog runs back and begins to target 15-year-old Snaffles – the brown horse she is riding. The dog then begins to chase Sergeant Astley’s horse again as members of the public appear to be shouting off camera. PC Miller-McCormack then appears to be speaking to the dog owner as she says: "You need to grab (the dog), you need to get hold of it."

Police have said members of the public ultimately had to step in to help detain the dog. Yvonne and Snaffles are recovering well at their stables with minor injuries, and the officers were unharmed, the force added.

Police said an investigation is ongoing and no arrests have yet been made. The dog was seized and later returned to its owner. A person can receive an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months, or both, for having a dog seriously out of control. If the dog injures someone, this can increase to up to five years in prison.

The Met Police has therefore said it is "advisable for owners to keep their dogs on the lead if they don’t have sufficient recall, to ensure the safety of the animal and others around them."

Sergeant Astley said: "What should have been a routine patrol turned out to be unexpectedly eventful, where our hardworking police horses were sadly injured in the course of their duty. Fortunately, Yvonne and Snaffles are recovering well and being looked after in their stables. We know horses are not a common sight in the capital, but we urge all owners to keep their dogs under control to prevent this happening again. We’re appealing for any witnesses of the incident to come forward by calling 101 quoting CAD2691/28APR25."

Title: Police Seek Witnesses After Dog Attacks Mounted Officers’ Horses in London Police are appealing for witnesses after two of their horses were attacked by a dog in London. Met Police Mounted Branch officers Sergeant Leon Astley and PC Grace Miller-McCormack were riding the horses, named Yvonne and Snaffles, when they were chased by the dog in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, at around 11.30am on Monday. The small dog chased the horses and repeatedly made attempts to bite their legs while the pet’s owner struggled to get the animal back under control. Police bodycam footage worn by PC Miller-McCormack shows the small dog running up to the two horses on Shepherd’s Bush Green. The officer is then heard warning that the dog is "going to get kicked" as it begins chasing Yvonne, a 13-year-old grey horse, being ridden by Sergeant Astley. In the footage, PC Miller-McCormack is later heard saying "get away" as the dog runs back and begins to target 15-year-old Snaffles – the brown horse she is riding. The dog then begins to chase Sergeant Astley’s horse again as members of the public appear to be shouting off camera. PC Miller-McCormack then appears to be speaking to the dog owner as she says: "You need to grab (the dog), you need to get hold of it." Police have said members of the public ultimately had to step in to help detain the dog. Yvonne and Snaffles are recovering well at their stables with minor injuries, and the officers were unharmed, the force added. Police said an investigation is ongoing and no arrests have yet been made. The dog was seized and later returned to its owner. A person can receive an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months, or both, for having a dog seriously out of control. If the dog injures someone, this can increase to up to five years in prison. The Met Police has therefore said it is "advisable for owners to keep their dogs on the lead if they don’t have sufficient recall, to ensure the safety of the animal and others around them." Sergeant Astley said: "What should have been a routine patrol turned out to be unexpectedly eventful, where our hardworking police horses were sadly injured in the course of their duty. Fortunately, Yvonne and Snaffles are recovering well and being looked after in their stables. We know horses are not a common sight in the capital, but we urge all owners to keep their dogs under control to prevent this happening again. We’re appealing for any witnesses of the incident to come forward by calling 101 quoting CAD2691/28APR25."

Police in London are seeking witnesses after two mounted police horses, Yvonne and Snaffles, were attacked by a small dog in Shepherd’s Bush. The incident occurred around 11:30 AM when the dog chased the horses, attempting to bite their legs while its owner struggled to regain control. Bodycam footage captured the officers warning the dog owner and urging the dog to back off as it targeted both horses.

Members of the public intervened to help detain the dog, which was later returned to its owner. Fortunately, Yvonne and Snaffles sustained only minor injuries and are recovering well. The police have launched an investigation, but no arrests have been made yet.

The Met Police emphasized the importance of keeping dogs on a lead to prevent such incidents, as owners can face severe penalties for having a dog that is out of control. Sergeant Astley remarked on the unexpected nature of the event, urging dog owners to ensure their pets are properly managed to avoid similar situations in the future.

Source:
news.sky.com
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Title: Young Rider Harry Joslin Wins First-Ever Ridden Bronze Medal for Shetlands

Harry Joslin, nine, was delighted to be the winner of the first-ever ridden bronze medal for Shetlands astride Rhandolf of Catchpool, also nine years old. The super-cute pair won their medal, awarded by the Shetland Pony Studbook Society (SPSBS), at the South and West Wales Shetland Pony Group Spring Show.

Although the SPSS has long had a tradition of supporting performance via its performance points scheme and hugely popular performance show, Harry’s mum, Lara Joslin, an experienced Shetland breeder and enthusiast, explained that the medals are part of a new initiative introduced by the SPSBS to further reward exhibitors on the day of competition, with a ridden and an in-hand equivalent awarded to the respective champions.

Harry and Rhandolf topped the first-ridden line-up en route to taking the championship. An added bonus for Harry was beating his brother, Oliver, into reserve after Oliver won the lead rein astride Harry’s former Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) finalist, Toby of Catchpool.

“We’re so pleased to be the recipients of the first-ever ridden medal,” said Lara. “To have done so on a home-bred pony with a home-bred rider is a bonus, and to see both my boys do so well made me beyond proud.”

Rhandolf was bred by Lara and her mother, Anna Stevens, who was the founder of the Catchpool stud of standard and miniature Shetlands at their home on the Gower near Swansea. He is sired by the über-successful Brinleyview Comanchee, twice winner of the RIHS, multiple HOYS finalist, and Best of Breed at Olympia.

Rhandolf enjoyed an extremely successful term in in-hand classes with championships including at the National Pony Society Summer Championships and Nottinghamshire County, and he almost made history as the first Shetland to stand supreme in-hand at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s summer show when he finished a close reserve in 2022.

“I’ve loved him as a type since he was born and I carried him down the field,” Lara told H&H. “I’m hoping now that he is gelded, he will be a super prospect for my boys in the first ridden classes.”

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Remembering Helena “Lana” du Pont Wright: A Trailblazer in Equestrian Sport

We’re saddened to share the passing of Helena “Lana” du Pont Wright, the first woman to ever compete in Olympic three-day eventing, who died on April 23 at the age of 85. A true trailblazer, Lara helped pave the way for generations of women in equestrian sport—most notably by earning a spot on the U.S. team for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where she and her teammates won team silver. Her remarkable legacy spans eventing, driving, endurance, and the founding of key institutions like the U.S. Eventing Association and Fair Hill International. Her death came just before this year’s Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, where many riders paused to reflect on her impact. “She was an icon,” said USEF Chief of Sport David O’Connor. “She shaped equestrian sport in this country,” added Allison Springer. We’re remembering her today through a beautiful tribute from The Chronicle of the Horse, which originally appeared in Untacked magazine. Make sure to read it and honor Lara’s legacy here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

The Event at Skyline (UT): Website | Entries/Ride Times/Scoring

Stable View Local Charities H.T. + USEA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Championships (SC): Website | Entries/Ride Times | Volunteer

Waredaca H.T. (MD): Website | Entries/Ride Times | Scoring | Volunteer

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (TX): Website | Entries/Ride Times | Scoring | Volunteer

WindRidge Farm Spring H.T. (NC): Website | Entries/Ride Times | Scoring | Volunteer

Winona H.T. (OH): Website | Entries/Ride Times/Scoring | Volunteer

Major International Events

Adelaide Equestrian Festival CCI5*: Website | Entries/Schedule | Live Stream

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The FEI has partnered with U.S.-based nonprofit #WeRideTogether to launch a free online safeguarding course aimed at preventing sexual misconduct and abuse in equestrian sport. Open to both FEI members and the wider equestrian community, the course combines athlete- and trauma-informed education with practical tools like printable resources and interactive quizzes. “The culture of sport should be one that puts morals over medals—or riders over ribbons,” said #WeRideTogether executive director Michaela Callie. The training is available now on FEI Campus. Read more here.

For NC State senior Lily Dal Cin, college has been a balancing act between riding, art, and resilience. A member of the school’s intercollegiate eventing team, Lily has navigated the ups and downs of horse injuries and academic demands while anchoring her team with steady support and positivity. With a double dose of talent in the saddle and in the studio—she’s an animation major who plans to launch a fine art business—Lily’s college experience has been defined by grit, growth, and the close-knit equestrian community that helped her thrive. Read more about Lily here.

If you’re introducing your horse to new cross country challenges like ditches, water, or banks, groundwork might be your best tool. Eventer Chelsea Canedy shares in her EQUESTRIAN+ video series how working from the ground helps horses build confidence and curiosity before ever tackling these questions under saddle. “It’s not about forcing them—it’s about helping them think through the problem,” she says. From encouraging a drink in the water to calmly stepping off a bank, her approach emphasizes safety, communication, and trust. Read and watch more here.

A new study published in the International Journal of Equine Science is shining a spotlight on a growing crisis in the equestrian world: the working conditions of grooms. Conducted by former groom Susanna Liis Ole and equestrianism professor Inga Wolframm, the study found that long hours, low pay, and lack of legal protections are driving experienced grooms out of the industry—putting horse welfare and the sport’s future at risk. Susanna will discuss the findings in a free webinar hosted by the HorseGrooms Community on May 5 at 1 p.m. EST. You can learn more here.

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

You’ll be able to follow along with some of the competition live from the USEA Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Eventing Championships at Stable View this weekend, thanks to Horse & Country! You can tune in here, and be sure to keep an eye on the USEA website for more coverage from Stable View all weekend long.

Video Break

Tune in to Elisa Wallace’s latest vlog from Kentucky.

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