WiSP Sports

Susanne Lundesjö Kvart, a riding instructor, lecturer and researcher from the Swedish University of Agricultural Science talks about how instructors should develop skills to not merely teach technique but also the all-important feel in their lessons. To date too much emphasis is placed on just providing riding pupils with just an initial "how-to" guide and then making them repeat over and over without any reflection on how to achieve better communication with their horses. You can comment on this episode on the website or on Facebook at Chris Stafford Radio. Follow us on Twitter @ingawolframm and @chrisestafford

British artist Julian Pinnick portrays horses on canvas from a variety of subjects using a selection of mediums. His pencil portraits are exquisite in their detail capturing the conformation and personality with subtle yet defining strokes, while his oil paintings bring the excitement of equestrian sports and endeavors alive with vivid colors, each contributing to the unique atmosphere of their subject.  You can see Julian's work on his website.  Follow us on Twitter @JulianPinnick and @chrisestafford

The new London leg of the Global Champions Tour took place this past weekend at the Olympic Park and British journalist Pippa Cuckson went along to watch an all-star cast compete for top dollars and find out why this event managed to find a new venue in such a short space of time and attract the BBC to cover it live on TV.  You can find out more about the Global Champions Tour on their website. Follow me on Twitter @chrisestafford and join me on Facebook at Chris Stafford Radio

Charles is a city trader, a privileged wild child. He has it all; the looks, the charm, the money. After a steamy affair with his secretary Jennifer he divorces his first wife and marries her, and they move into his country home in an idyllic village in West Sussex. Jennifer comes from the rough part of East London and has worked hard in life to improve her tough start but soon discovers that life in the country isn’t always the box of chocolates she hoped.  She’s snubbed by the county set, disliked by the staff and is thoroughly miserable, that is - until she meets Chloe. Through her she develops a deep bond with horses and a love of all things equestrian and gradually she integrates into the aga-saga of gossipy village life with its eccentric, racy personalities and saucy diversities. Meanwhile, Charles gets up to his old tricks in London and when, after one thoughtless sexual encounter, these two worlds collide it brings about a chain of catastrophic and far reaching events, which will guarantee a rough ride ahead for them all. Visit PJ King online at http://pjkingauthor.co.uk/ and on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @pjking_author and @chrisestafford

Polo in the Park is a unique tournament that will be held at the home of polo; Hurlingham Park near London this weekend, with six teams of three players competing for a prestigious trophy in an arena style field plus there is something for everyone to enjoy the sport and off the field activities. You can find out more on there website and follow us on Twitter  @polointhepark and @chrisestafford

It's time to catch up with Australian dressage rider Brett Parbery who is spending time at home near Sydney building his business and focusing on producing young horses for future teams as well as teaching clinics and playing cricket with his son. You can find out more about Brett and his dressage program on his website. Follow me on Twitter @chrisestafford.

British Pony Dressage Rider Phoebe Peters is on form right now with another win last weekend in France at the Compeigne CDI scoring a personal best of 77,9% in the Kur with SL Lucci. A win of ten consecutive tests this spring has bought this ambitious 13 year old into the spotlight and she is focused on a lifelong career in the sport. You can join Phoebe on Facebook at Phoebe Peters Dressage and follow us on Twitter @PetersDressage and @chrisestafford.

Author PJ King - aka Sally Andrews - talks about her debut novel Rough Ride; an aga-saga of gossipy village life with its eccentric and racy personalities and saucy diversities among horse people whose shenanigans lead to a chain of catastrophic and far reaching events which will guarantee a rough ride ahead for them all.  Sally tells us how the story came about through her background in the horse world and how it has already inspired her to start working on the sequel.  You can also hear the Prologue to Rough Ride and the first two chapters will be available shortly. The audio book will be for sale later this summer. Find out more about Sally and Rough Ride on her website.  Follow her on Twitter @pjking_author and join her Facebook Page. Follow me on Twitter @chrisestafford

British based Australian Eventer Bill Levett is on great form this season with a win at the Saumur CCI3* on Shannondale Titan followed by a runner-up finish at Tattersalls CCI3* on Improvise; both horses making their 3-star debut.  Bill tells us why, at the ge of 50, he feels he is at the top of his game now and the goals he set himself and his team. You can find out more about Bill on his website. Follow me on Twitter @chrisestafford

Leading Hunter Jumper rider Kate Conover explains hows she discovered that Karen O'Connor's former two star event horse had the potential to become a hunter jumper and will be showing her in the USHJA International Hunter Jumper Derby at the Devon Horse Show this weekend.  Follow me on Twitter @chrisestafford

Talent, looks and opportunities take Oliver Jasny from the threadbare gymkhanas of his youth to the rarefied heights of international dressage where he becomes a celebrity, the darling of the dressage set and lands the biggest sponsorship in the history of equestrianism. But when his sister Kathryn goes to his sumptuous training establishment she does not like what she finds one little bit...  Caroline Akrill writes with a real knowledge of the equine world. She vividly recreates the tense moments of open competition, the atmosphere of the showgrounds, riding schools and training establishments. Her prose sparkles with humor, has some real heart-stopping moments and a truly dramatic finale.  Flying Changes was first published by Arlington Books, London in 1985. Read by Chris Stafford. Flying Changes is available on Amazon. Music is courtesy of Marie-Lynn Hammond;@chevalgal and  http://marielynnhammond.com

Talent, looks and opportunities take Oliver Jasny from the threadbare gymkhanas of his youth to the rarefied heights of international dressage where he becomes a celebrity, the darling of the dressage set and lands the biggest sponsorship in the history of equestrianism. But when his sister Kathryn goes to his sumptuous training establishment she does not like what she finds one little bit...  Caroline Akrill writes with a real knowledge of the equine world. She vividly recreates the tense moments of open competition, the atmosphere of the showgrounds, riding schools and training establishments. Her prose sparkles with humor, has some real heart-stopping moments and a truly dramatic finale.  Flying Changes was first published by Arlington Books, London in 1985. Read by Chris Stafford. Flying Changes is available on Amazon. Music is courtesy of Marie-Lynn Hammond;@chevalgal and  http://marielynnhammond.com

Talent, looks and opportunities take Oliver Jasny from the threadbare gymkhanas of his youth to the rarefied heights of international dressage where he becomes a celebrity, the darling of the dressage set and lands the biggest sponsorship in the history of equestrianism. But when his sister Kathryn goes to his sumptuous training establishment she does not like what she finds one little bit...  Caroline Akrill writes with a real knowledge of the equine world. She vividly recreates the tense moments of open competition, the atmosphere of the showgrounds, riding schools and training establishments. Her prose sparkles with humor, has some real heart-stopping moments and a truly dramatic finale.  Flying Changes was first published by Arlington Books, London in 1985. Read by Chris Stafford. Flying Changes is available on Amazon. Music is courtesy of Marie-Lynn Hammond;@chevalgal and  http://marielynnhammond.com

Talent, looks and opportunities take Oliver Jasny from the threadbare gymkhanas of his youth to the rarefied heights of international dressage where he becomes a celebrity, the darling of the dressage set and lands the biggest sponsorship in the history of equestrianism. But when his sister Kathryn goes to his sumptuous training establishment she does not like what she finds one little bit...  Caroline Akrill writes with a real knowledge of the equine world. She vividly recreates the tense moments of open competition, the atmosphere of the showgrounds, riding schools and training establishments. Her prose sparkles with humor, has some real heart-stopping moments and a truly dramatic finale.  Flying Changes was first published by Arlington Books, London in 1985. Read by Chris Stafford. Flying Changes is available on Amazon. Music is courtesy of Marie-Lynn Hammond;@chevalgal and  http://marielynnhammond.com

The editor of  Horse Sport International, Pamela Young, joins me to discuss the international controversy surrounding the welfare of horses in the sport of endurance and letters from National Federations to the FEI calling for specific action. These topics are being covered in the current issue of Horse Sport International - http://www.horsesportinternational.com. Follow us on Twitter @horsesportintl and @chrisestafford