Horse Hound – 18 June 2026

Summary

Bubby Upton and Its Cooley Time win Bramham on the cover of Horse & Hound 18 June 2026 (Volume CXLII Issue 24), photographed by Peter Nixon, in a Bramham special. The issue also carries Carl Hester's column, Becky Moody's Jagerbomb as a foal, and rare native breeds winning.

The news pages carry the year's most useful law: Devon & Cornwall Police issued a control order after Kirstie McPherson's two-year-old and its dam were chased by dogs and suffered tendon injuries, under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act in force since 18 March. Police advise calling 101 because it is now a crime.

The trail-hunting consultation closed on 18 June, with Nessie Chanter's Heythrop field of 112 hunting three days a week. The obituaries are the issue's weight: course designer Bob Ellis, who built the London 2012 track, and List One judge Stephen Clarke, described as measured, intelligent and articulate.

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Content Guide

▸ News

p.4 · Police use new powers to protect horses from dogs
Devon & Cornwall Police issued a control order on a dog owner after Kirstie McPherson's home-bred two-year-old and its dam were chased and suffered tendon injuries, forcing her to send back the pony she leased for her autistic son. She installed cameras and saw the dog jump into her field, and warnings to the owner failed. The order requires the dog be kept under control and the owner's home secured; breach could bring prosecution. The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act came into force on 18 March, and police advise calling 101 because it is now a crime. BHS safety manager Des Payne notes gaps remain, including horses being driven or ridden, and urges logging incidents on the BHS Horse i App. Photograph any dog worrying your stock today and call 101.

p.5 · Last chance to have a say on trail-hunting's future
The government consultation on banning trail-hunting closed on 18 June. The Future for Hunting campaign, from the Countryside Alliance and British Hound Sports Association, prepared a response template that also contacts the respondent's MP. Alliance director of hunting Polly Portwin urged responses so government understands the economic impact. Nessie Chanter, joint master of the Heythrop, says the hunt has 112 members and hunts three days a week, and warns pubs will lose winter trade. Check whether your MP received a response before the next debate.

p.8 · How racing, and all disciplines, could attract new fans
This news piece asks how racing and every discipline could draw new supporters. Audience growth is the problem no single sport has solved. Read it before assuming your own discipline is safe.

▸ Opinion and People

p.14 · Dressage — Carl Hester
Carl Hester writes the dressage column in a Bramham week. Olympic voices carry more weight than unsigned opinion. Take one schooling point from him into your next test.

p.18 · H&H interview — Tayla Mason
New Zealand World Championship eventing hopeful Tayla Mason gives the interview. Championship hopefuls are worth hearing before the team is named. Follow her selection before the championship starts.

p.66 · Foal files — Becky Moody's Jagerbomb
The foal files trace Jagerbomb's beginnings, the horse behind the name. Breeding pages explain the horse you watch on TV. Look up one sire in your own horse's pedigree.

▸ Vet and Features

p.26 · Equine grass sickness — where are we now? What we know
The vet clinic covers what is currently known about equine grass sickness. Grass sickness kills quickly and remains poorly understood. Ask your vet what local risk factors apply to your grazing.

p.64 · Heart of the yard — Tack room priorities
The feature covers tack room priorities, the working heart of any yard. Tack rooms tell you how a yard is really run. Sort one shelf of your own tack room this week.

▸ Reports and Hunting

p.38 · Eventing — Bramham, Little Downham and more
Bubby Upton and Its Cooley Time win Bramham CCI4*-L, with Little Downham also reported. The picture credit goes to Peter Nixon. Watch the Bramham result before the next championship selection.

p.58 · The Heythrop harvest victory — Barley South of England Hound Show
The Heythrop's harvest victory at the Barley South of England Hound Show leads the hunting pages, with Thurlow huntsman Guy Allman pictured at page 58. Hound shows are the purest judging in the sport. Visit one hound show and judge the hounds yourself.

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Editor's Take

The dog control order is the most useful page in Horse & Hound 18 June 2026: Kirstie McPherson's injured two-year-old, the 18 March Act and the advice to call 101 give an owner a route that did not exist last year. The Bramham win by Bubby Upton and Its Cooley Time earns the cover, and the two obituaries — Bob Ellis, who built the London 2012 course, and Stephen Clarke, the List One judge — are the issue at its best. Weakest is the middle, where reports from Bramham, Little Downham, South of England and Sopot run with few names available, and the TopSpec advertising gives feeding plans for a 13.2hh pony beside a championship result. Buy this for the dog law and the Bramham win; the reports are thin.

Strengths
• Dog control order gives the 18 March Act and 101
• Bramham win gives Bubby Upton and Its Cooley Time
• Two obituaries cover Ellis and Clarke properly
• Trail-hunting page gives 112 members and three days

Weaknesses
• Reports run with few names available
• TopSpec advertising sits beside championship news

Verdict: Recommended — the dog law and Bramham win justify the issue.