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Four horses, eight tests

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Editorial team
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It had seemed like such a good plan, but somewhere between tests two and eight, Jess Rimmer started questioning her life choices …

Hello BV! January has absolutely flown by, which is quite refreshing after the seemingly never-ending darkness that was December. The horses are getting fitter all the time, meaning we’ve been able to get a little more stuck in with the training for the 2025 event season. They have all just started jumping in the arena, as well as doing their first bits of steady canter work on the gallops. My goodness, does it feel good to be back actually doing stuff again!
Now, I think it’s become quite apparent that I would pick cross-country as my favourite discipline without a second thought.
However, until the ground dries up and the horses get fit enough for their pre-season cross-country training, it’s all about the dressage and showjumping (yawn!). Showjumping shows do make for a nice day out, and I usually get my adrenaline fix in the form of a jump-off or two.
I’ll be honest, it also helps that our most local venue, Dorset Showground, is right opposite the absolute best service station in the West Country!
Dressage, on the other hand … When I tell you I don’t know what was going through my head when I entered not two, not three, but eight (EIGHT, Jess?) dressage tests at Moreton last weekend, I mean it. On paper it seemed like such a good idea – I just thought “hey, if I’m taking one horse, I might as well take them all, it’ll be good practice.” And although I still say that it was good practice for everyone, I did slightly rethink my choices as I gazed longingly at my fellow competitors leaving with their rosettes and cheesy chips, me having completed only my second test out of eight.

Jess Rimmer warming up with Jimmy All images: Courtenay Hitchcock

Me, me, me … and also me
Moreton does a brilliant class for us eventers as part of their unaffiliated dressage show, where we can enter and pick any British Eventing dressage test we like for each horse. This is great, as British Dressage tests run a different routine from the Eventing ones, so this class enables us to practice the exact movements we’ll be doing throughout the coming event season. However … it meant there were nine entries in the class – and I was eight of them! I entered Jimmy, Max, Elsa and Henry for two tests each. Not content with competing against each other, they were also going to compete against themselves!

‘Jimmy must have been a Hollywood film star in a previous life. He just pricks his ears at the judge, and says “Everybody! Watch me!” … despite being the youngest, least experienced and gangliest horse of the bunch’

Four tests
First up was Max, who was incredibly pleased to be out and about. He is such a smart mover and has come out so much stronger this year, so I was excited to take him down the centre line for the first time. All in all, he was a good boy – but when he gets excited, it’s a bit like he’s put a pair of Ultra-HD goggles on – he sees literally everything in super high definition. He has definitely NEVER seen his own reflection in the judges’ box before, and who on EARTH put that flower pot there? Max quickly overcame his “fears” (as he claimed they were, with a smirk on his face), and produced some quality work to get the ball rolling.
Next up was Henry, who, as we know, often puts his head in the sand (like an ostrich) under pressure. I was so proud of him! He stayed much more confident throughout his test, and was rewarded with some great marks. Although if you ask him, the whole experience would have been much better if Jimmy could have accompanied him throughout.

A little Jimmy side-eye, just to be sure we’re still watching


Speaking of Jimmy … I think this horse was a Hollywood film star in a previous life. He just turns down that centre line, pricks his ears at the judge, and says “Everybody! Watch me! This is going to be the best test anyone has ever see-e-een!” –
entertaining, when you consider he is the youngest, least experienced and definitely the gangliest horse of the whole bunch.
Last, but certainly not least, was Princess Elsa. She thought Christmas had come early (or late?!) and was just SO pleased to be there. I do have a sneaky feeling she’s been there for the jumping shows more frequently than the pure dressage … but she completed both her tests with a happy grin on her face nonetheless. Although I did have to remind her that, unlike jumping, dressage is not supposed to be against the clock!

Jimmy turns down that centre line, pricks his ears, and says “This is going to be the best test anyone has ever see-e-en”


And so, without further ado – the final placings … drum roll please …
Nah. I’ll leave that for you to decide. The results just weren’t particularly relevant on this occasion. For a first outing, I’m really pleased with all four of them: they all demonstrated improvement in their own way, and – most importantly to me – they were SO happy to be back out competing!
As was I.
Or maybe I was just pleased to get my cheesy chips at the end of the day …

Can I get carer’s allowance?

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Editorial team
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A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues.

Q: ‘I have had to give up work to look after my partner. Can I claim the Carer’s Allowance now?’

A: Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who give regular and substantial care to disabled people. Carer’s Allowance is a taxable benefit and forms part of your taxable income.
You can usually get Carer’s Allowance if all of the following apply:

  • you’re aged 16 or over
  • you’re not in full time education
  • you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a disabled person
  • you don’t earn more than £151 a week from employment or self-employment

The person you’re caring for must get a ‘qualifying benefit’. These include:

  • Attendance Allowance
  • the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
  • the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment

You’ll get less or no Carer’s Allowance if you get some other benefits including:
state retirement pension

  • state retirement pension
  • contributory ESA
  • contribution-based JSA
  • Maternity Allowance

help from your nearest Citizens Advice. If you get any means-tested benefits (eg universal credit), Carer’s Allowance counts as income when these benefits are worked out.
If the person you’re caring for gets a benefit with a Severe Disability Premium/Addition, this premium/addition will cease if you claim Carer’s Allowance. The other person should contact the DWP or their local council to let them know you’re getting Carer’s Allowance. Always check with the person you’re caring for before you apply for Carer’s Allowance because you might cause their income to be reduced.

To make a claim for Carer’s Allowance you can:

If you need help making your claim, contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit:
Telephone: 0800 731 0297
Textphone: 0800 731 0317
Your claim can be backdated for up to three months if you were eligible.

  • If disability benefits stop for the person you’re caring for, you must contact the DWP to let them know that the person’s disability benefits have stopped. If you don’t let the DWP know, you may incur an overpayment, which could incur a civil penalty.

Grand National hopes and bargain buys

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Editorial team
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From winter floods to first past the post, Chris Wald sees perseverance paying off as the Tizzard team looks ahead to Cheltenham and Aintree

The Messenger family had gone seven years without a winner until last season: Pedley Wood has now won four of his last eight races

We had to wait until 16th January for our first winner of the New Year, when I Shut That D’or won a handicap chase at Hereford. This was largely down to the number of meetings that were either rained, frozen or snowed off. It felt good to get off the mark for 2025.
I Shut That D’or was a bargain buy at the start of the season for Derrick and Susan Maize and his form reads 1-2-1-1 since they bought him, proving you don’t always have to spend a fortune to get results and have some fun in horse racing.
Having been frozen off twice already, the final of the Veteran’s series was eventually run at Market Rasen. Copperhead made the long journey worthwhile, making all (leading from the front) to secure the most valuable prize of the season. He now holds an entry in the Aintree Grand National in April.
At the risk of sounding like a weather report, January ended pretty much the way it had begun – with Storm Eowyn causing havoc.

Storm Eowyn blew a tree down, blocking the road to the gallops

The floods made life difficult for everyone, but luckily most of the staff were able to find a way in to work. I was unable to get out of the road from my house for two days but thankfully, after a lift through the flood on a telehandler, I was able to jump in with Sophie who passes by en route to the yard. A fallen tree was also blocking the road we ride down to get to the gallops, but this was swiftly removed by Krystov who works on the farm.

Images of the Tizzard horses on the gallops © Courtenay Hitchcock

Patience pays off
Luckily the rain finally relented and Wincanton passed a couple of inspections to get its meeting on at the end of the month. Bobbi With An I won a Mares’ Novice Hurdle, only six weeks after being purchased from the Cheltenham Sales. She looks an exciting prospect. And then Pedley Wood followed up his Boxing Day win to win the Dick Hunt trophy. His part owners, the Messenger family, always have one horse in training and had gone seven years without a winner until last season, but Pedley Wood has now won four of his last eight races. Good things come to those who wait!
With January finally behind us we are looking forward to what will hopefully be a really strong spring campaign.

© Courtenay Hitchcock

The first weekend in February we have some exciting runners, including JPR One in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday 8th and Alexei in a Listed Novice Hurdle at Exeter on Sunday 9th – both horses who have targets at the Cheltenham Festival.

Spetisbury | Then & Now

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Editorial team
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Step back in time with our ‘Then and Now’ feature, where vintage postcards from the Barry Cuff Collection meet modern-day reality. Explore the past and present on the same page, and see the evolution of familiar local places. ‘Now’ images by Courtenay Hitchcock

The name of the village is Anglo-Saxon, meaning ‘the ancient earthwork frequented by the green woodpecker’ – from the Old English ‘speht’ or ‘speoht’ for woodpecker, and ‘burgh’ or ‘byrig’ for earthwork, referring to Spetisbury Rings (sometimes Crawford Castle), the Iron Age fort above the village
A fire at the village bakery demolished a row of thatched cottages in 1905. Before fire engines from Blandford and Wimborne could help, the neighbouring cottages and those across the road were also ablaze.
The village still has a quirky house numbering system, thanks to its majority 19th century landowners, the Drax family, who only numbered the buildings owned by the estate

Both of the original postcards were posted in the 1940s. The Railway Inn on the right closed in 1986 – in its heyday it was a popular spot for local railway workers (the old railway line ran parallel to the road, behind and above the row of houses on the left of the image).

Sponsored by The Museum of East Dorset

Free wildlife events for teens in Poole Harbour

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Editorial team
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Dorset-based charity Birds of Poole Harbour has partnered with the Cameron Bespolka Trust to launch a Young Birders Club, offering free monthly events throughout 2025 to inspire teenagers with wildlife and conservation.
From boat trips and bird ringing demonstrations to ID courses and conservation talks, the programme aims to showcase Poole Harbour’s vital role in nature recovery while building a community of young conservationists. Participants will have the chance to spot species such as White-tailed Eagles, Ospreys, Spoonbills, and Dartford Warblers.
Fully funded by the Cameron Bespolka Trust, events are completely free, with binoculars, reference guides, and transport support available to ensure accessibility.
Upcoming events include a Winter Birds Cruise (Jan), Bird ID Course (Feb), a rewilding reserve tour at Wild Woodbury (March), and an Osprey Project Tour (April). Open to 13–18-year-olds in Dorset, the initiative aims to provide opportunities for young people to engage with nature and develop conservation skills. Spaces are limited – sign up now at birdsofpooleharbourbookings.co.uk

Sponsored by Wessex Internet

From Cheese to Trees: BV Dairy Marks Anniversary with Sustainability Drive

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Editorial team
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This week, Shaftesbury-based BV Dairy celebrates a significant milestone—one year since joining farmer-owned dairy cooperative, First Milk.

First Milk member, Lucy Noad, BV Dairy Technical Information Officer, Hazel Warner, and Greg Jardine, First Milk CFO and BV Business Unit Director. 

To mark the occasion, colleagues from BV Dairy and First Milk came together on Friday 14 February for a special tree-planting initiative at Woodhouse Farm in Trowbridge, home to First Milk member Lucy Noad. The team planted 365 trees—one for each day BV Dairy has been part of the First Milk family—demonstrating their shared commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Over the past year, BV Dairy and First Milk have successfully integrated, combining their expertise and building on their strengths. This collaboration has reinforced BV Dairy’s strong reputation for quality and customer service in food manufacturing and food service, while also exploring new opportunities in emerging markets such as gut health.

Reflecting on the past year, Greg Jardine, First Milk CFO and BV Business Unit Director, said:

“Bringing BV Dairy into the First Milk family has been a fantastic step forward for our business. We have seen first-hand the dedication, expertise, and passion of the BV Dairy team, and it has been great to work together to further strengthen the business and drive sustainable growth over the last 12 months. We look forward to building on this strong foundation in the years to come and have some exciting plans in the short term.”

Jardine continued: “This tree-planting initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability and the environment. As a farmer-owned cooperative, we recognise the importance of working in harmony with nature, and this project is just one of many ways we are making a positive impact.”

With a successful first year behind them, BV Dairy and First Milk look ahead to a future of innovation, collaboration, and continued growth.

Fighting for the future of rural high streets

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Editorial team
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Edward Morello MP for West Dorset

This week we had an important debate on the health of rural high streets. The wonderful towns across the breadth of West Dorset may be small, but they are mighty.
The resilience of our local businesses cannot be overstated. The Liberal Democrat-run town councils have done a brilliant job of working with local business groups to help our high streets recover from the ravages of COVID.
In our bigger towns of Bridport, Dorchester and Sherborne we have seen encouraging signs of recovery but there is still much work to be done.
Amazingly, Bridport and West Bay enjoy 596,000 visits a year, and up to £49m in tourism spend – including £10m spent in the shops alone.
That’s driven in no small part by a packed calendar of events in the town.
Retail unoccupancy in the town is seven per cent – significantly below the national average of 14 per cent, but still higher than the pre-pandemic levels.
In Dorchester, the town’s Sunday market has drawn more than 10,000 visitors, leading some businesses to extend their opening hours.
Sherborne, too, has shown its ability to attract new businesses, with cultural events like abbey concerts, the literary festival, the film festival and the Sherborne Festive Shopping Day in December all helping to bring more people into the town.
But there are challenges too. The last remaining bank in Sherborne is set to close soon, to be replaced by a banking hub. The transition highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain essential services in rural communities.
Our high streets are not just places to shop: they are spaces where communities come together.
These businesses need help, not just from all of us shopping locally – even just occasionally – but from government policies that recognise the unique challenges of rural high streets.
That is why the Liberal Democrats are fighting so hard to convince the Government to reverse its decisions on National Insurance contributions and business rates.
West Dorset is home to some of the most remarkable towns in the country. They are proving that with determination, innovation and the right support, high streets can thrive.
Edward Morello MP for West Dorset

Calling the women of Dorset

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Editorial team
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Sarah2 Shutterstock

Dorchester has staged the greatest number of community plays of anywhere in the world, and now the efforts of all those involved are bearing fresh fruit. Several participants have been inspired by the stories that have been discovered, and by the experience of creating the plays.
Now a new venture is taking shape, this time spreading its wings across Dorset and delving into women’s stories. Like every other project in the arts field, funding is tight, but the newly-formed collective Women of Dorset is taking the first research steps to create what is described as “a fierce new play about historical Dorset women.”
On 10th March, the project will be launched at Dorchester Arts by playwright Stephanie Dale and director Penny Levick, who will be joined by Visible Women UK’s Anya Pearson (who championed the Mary Anning statue at Lyme Regis) to talk about the plans. Acappella singing group Bread and Roses will provide the music.
A group of researchers will be working at the Dorset History Centre, learning how to make the best use of the collections to discover more about Dorset women through history.
The launch will be followed by five workshops, at Dorchester (17th March), Bridport (18th), Poole (19th), Weymouth (20th) and at Shaftesbury Arts Centre on Friday 21st March. The workshops will explore previously untold stories of women, both historical and personal.
Booking is essential. If you would like to take part, telephone 01305 261538 and leave a message.

Sponspored by Wessex Internet

FOLDE Dorset celebrates back-to-back recognition at The British Book Awards

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Editorial team
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A Shaftesbury bookshop has once again been recognised among the UK and Ireland’s best independent booksellers, making the shortlist for The British Book Awards for the second consecutive year.

Amber Harrison (right) and Karen Brazier, co-founders of FOLDE – Image Rachael Rowe

FOLDE Dorset, the nature-focused bookshop perched on Shaftesbury’s iconic Gold Hill, has been named a Regional and Country Finalist in the Independent Bookshop of the Year category—just a year after winning the South West regional title in 2024 (see the BV April 2024).

Affectionately known as the ‘Nibbies’, The British Book Awards, run by The Bookseller magazine, are judged by an esteemed panel of industry professionals, authors, journalists, and celebrities. The Independent Bookshop of the Year category “celebrates stores that reach beyond the literary landscape and bring books to the heart of local communities.”

With a record number of entries this year, 72 finalists across nine regions and nations were selected for their ingenuity and resilience in a challenging retail climate. Organisers praised how independent bookshops “continue to thrive with imagination and innovation boosting sales, amid rising challenges on the high street.” Among the ten South West finalists, FOLDE is the only Dorset-based bookshop to make the list.

“We are delighted to have made it to the South West Regional and Country finals for the second year in a row,” said Karen Brazier, co-founder of FOLDE. “It’s no less exciting than winning the regional prize last year and reflects that we are now established as a placemaker within our community, where we play an active part in the success of our high street and provide a welcoming space for all.”


FOLDE Dorset is in the running for Independent Bookshop of the Year for the
second year in a row.

Co-founder Amber Harrison added, “For us, as a niche bookshop with a nature writing focus and the first bricks-and-mortar bookshop in Europe to be BCorp certified, the awards give us an opportunity to share our vision and purpose in celebrating and championing the natural world.”

Tom Tivnan, managing editor of The Bookseller, said: “I have been judging this award for a decade and a half and I have never seen such depth of quality and energy in the submissions, from the newcomers to most venerable stores. British and Irish indies continue to thrive, despite the overall climate, with entrepreneurship and creativity. These finalists are wonderfully unique and idiosyncratic, but there is a link in that all of them are not confined by the four walls of their shops – they are out in their communities organising festivals, visiting schools, bringing authors to town. Sure, they sell a lot of books but that is just the start: independent bookshops are Britain and Ireland’s local cultural linchpins.”

FOLDE Dorset will now compete to retain its title as South West regional winner and secure a place in the running for the national prize, which will be announced at The British Book Awards ceremony in London on 12 May 2025.

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