For the last seven years, my son and I have been visiting two donkeys in a nearby field. They are lovely little chaps, and they cheer me up no end. This week, I was contacted by the donkeys’ owner as he had lost his grazing and was looking to rehome them. Long story short, I am now in possession of the two donkeys.

My husband is unimpressed in the extreme with these latest additions, and I suspect the neighbours are none too enamoured either. I am hoping that everyone will acclimatise to the change very soon because at the moment, every time a donkey hee-haws, every dog in the parish starts barking. It is my husband’s birthday next week, but my attempts to pass off the donkeys as a ‘fun’ birthday present have so far fallen flat.

Ongoing concerns

At the moment it feels rather like another week, another controversy for the FEI. The organisation’s decision to hold the World Cup Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 17-21 April sparked controversy in the run up to the competition due to ongoing concerns about human rights in the kingdom. Issues such as gender discrimination, the lack of tolerance for LGBTQ individuals, and the situation surrounding political prisoners have drawn much attention and criticism.

In defence of the choice, an FEl spokesperson stated: “Over the years, the FEl has observed significant progress in Saudi Arabia in the realm of equestrian sports. Notably, there has been a remarkable advancement towards gender equality, with men and women now competing on equal terms in various equestrian disciplines. The Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation has played a pivotal role in fostering this inclusivity, actively promoting female participation by hosting national and international equestrian events where women compete alongside their male counterparts.”

Issues such as gender discrimination, the lack of tolerance for LGBTQ individuals, and the situation surrounding political prisoners have drawn much attention and criticism

The star-studded entry for the showjumping final includes British rider Ben Maher; Germany’s Marcus Ehning; and Kent Farrington for the USA. Defending champion Henrik von Eckermann and his horse King Edward clinched victory in the opening competition, edging out fellow countryman Peder Fredricson and Catch Me Not S.

Tragically, the event has been marred by the unexpected death of the US horse Chromatic BF, ridden by Jill Humphrey. The horse collapsed upon returning to the stables after the competition on the evening of 18 April. Despite immediate veterinary attention from US Equestrian staff and FEI veterinarians, Chromatic BF could not be revived.