Robert Smith is to launch his own series of weekly unaffiliated show jumping competitions from Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 May at his Warwickshire home at Brook Furlong Farm on the outskirts of Shrewley (nr Lowsonford).

He opens his equestrian facility to horses and ponies competing in the first ever Robert Smith Unaffiliated Show Jumping League. The League will culminate in a Championship Show in October with a fantastic prize of a saddle to the overall points winner with runner-up prizes too.

“We have top quality facilities at Brook Furlong Farm and it seems ideal to offer other riders the opportunity to enjoy the venue at unaffiliated level with some great prizes up for grabs,” says Robert.  “We anticipate it being a competitive league where riders young and mature can have a lot of fun.  Both horses and ponies are welcome.”

Classes start at 10am on Saturday 1 May & Sunday 2 May, the first competition being open to horses and ponies starting at 60 cm rising up to 90 cm as the day progresses, with prizes presented to third place. League points also awarded to those who are placed in the top three.  Each weekend, there will also be a points prize of a bridle for the highest scoring individual.

There will also be clear round jumping throughout the day starting at 50 cm.  Shows are planned every weekend throughout the summer with the Championship event in October, with Wednesday evening ‘fun jumping’ too.

For a schedule please email rachel@kingstonpr.co.uk or visit the dedicated page to be published shortly on this website.

Robert Smith is delighted to officially endorse a new superior performance, yet affordable, equestrian bedding product – Safemix Equestrian – from the successful stable of Arden Wood Shavings following trials at his yards in the UK and Holland.

Safemix Equestrian is a blend of specially selected premium quality woodshavings and shredded soft woodfibre.  The woodfibre used is exclusively from untreated wood residue taken from readily available sustainable sources.  State-of-the-art manufacturing processes that are unique to Arden Wood Shavings produce an ultra-clean, super absorbent bedding that is safe and comfortable for stabled horses.

Arden’s technologically advanced processes incorporate meticulous screening and sanitisation procedures for unparalleled levels of hygiene, to ensure consistently high levels of quality and product conformity.  Safemix Equestrian passes through not one, but two, rigorously effective dust extraction processes.   Its exceptionally low spore count is ideal for horses with respiratory conditions.

“We have been very pleased with Safemix Equestrian which really lives up to its name,” says Robert. “While offering all the obvious benefits in terms of comfort and hygiene, it is a practical product too which is essential for our busy grooms.  For us, we need reassurance that the quality is consistently high and Safemix never disappoints.  Having visited Arden’s manufacturing facility, and seen first-hand the meticulous production methods, you cannot fail to be impressed with their quality control and commitment to innovation.”

Chris Stanford, Managing Director of Arden Wood Shavings, a company he founded in 1980 and today a leading name in agricultural and equestrian bedding, says, “We are delighted with the feedback we have received from Robert Smith and his team, and are pleased to support him with Safemix Equestrian throughout 2010 and beyond.”

Safemix Equestrian is available from stockists nationwide.  For further information, or trade enquiries, please contact Arden Wood Shavings on 01675 443 888 or email: sales@ardenwoodshavings.co.uk or www.robertsmith.co.uk

Full-time liveries are now available at Robert Smith’s professionally run and well-equipped yard, nearly Shrewley, Warwickshire.   Immaculate, secure facilities are provided with internal stabling and quality grazing with use of indoor and outdoor arenas, as well as the horse walker – all supervised by experienced staff.   The yard also offers good hacking nearby.

Liveries are available for horses and ponies of all standards – ideal for show jumpers, hunters and eventers – and cost just £150 per week/horse.  There is spacious parking for cars and horseboxes.

Training Days are also available with Robert Smith on a monthly basis.  The next dates are scheduled for 4,5,6 April and 12,13,14 April. A 45 min session during one of Robert’s Training Days in either Small, Medium or Large categories costs just £80+VAT on your own horse or pony.  Pre-booking is essential.  Visit our Training page on this website for further information.

Please email us for Training availability using the contact form, or call Jock Merriman on 07867 992701 for full details on liveries.

Raging Bull Vangelis S won the Tom Hudson Christmas Tree Stakes in commanding style, going clear in a time of 46.69 seconds ahead of Albert Zoer on Uraya (47.03) and Svante Johannson on Classic Lady (48.50).

Ronaldo was back on form at the World Cup show in Paris (10-13 December) when he finished second in the 1.40m speed class.

As many show jumping fans will already be aware, England and Lions rugby international Phil Vickery MBE is showing his support for international Olympic rider Robert Smith’s and Sharon Baldwin of Meadow Stud’s prize stallion Vangelis S.

Now called Raging Bull Vangelis S, this super talented stallion won the British Masters at Chester Racecourse and was also one of the five selected for the British squad that headed to the European Jumping Championships at Windsor last month.  It has also been announced that Phil Vickery is one of the new ambassadors for the British Show Jumping Association.

If you haven’t checked out Phil’s Raging Bull sporty leisure wear, then visit www.ragingbull.co.uk

Robert Smith and his sponsor, Falcon Equine Feeds, were pleased to welcome Ruth Marjason-Stamp to the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead and in doing so, helped to promote and raise funds for the charity Dreams Come True.

Show jumping enthusiast Ruth was diagnosed with a bone tumour in her leg in October 2006.  Since then she has had to cope with many courses of chemotherapy and an operation which prevented her taking part in her real passion in life – her love of horse riding.

Thankfully, Ruth appears to be making a great recovery, and when she applied to the charity Dreams Come True, she was not only granted her wish for a set of show jumps, but also a day at Hickstead going behind the scenes with Robert Smith.

Ruth even got to present the prizes for the SKY Sports Speed Classic on Saturday.

The day was organised and supported by Falcon Equine Feeds, who are actively fundraising for the charity.  Dreams Come True is a national charity which makes the dreams of terminally or seriously ill children become a reality.  The only limit to a dream is a child’s imagination.

Falcon Equine Feeds is currently raising money – their target is £850 – for an 11 year old boy. Jamie has Downs Syndrome, Autism and severe learning difficulties and requires a special modified trike.  Visit www.falconequinefeeds.co.uk for more information or www.dctc.org.uk to read about the great work of Dreams Come True.