May 2025 Issue

While 2020 – and, come to think of it, most of 2021 – was a year to forget for many of us, it made us realise how much of the beauty of our island we overlook. It can be easy to miss what’s on your doorstep and, equally, to skip past places that are daytrip or staycation distance away now international travel is relatively easy. But, spending a couple of years grounded showed us that the (probably only) silver lining to Covid was a new appreciation for just how many wonderful places there are to explore without needing our passports, and we’ve rounded up 20 of the best. But, you’ll need one passport – your horse’s – because they’re all places that welcome four-legged explorers as well as the two-legged kind. So, whatever your holiday plans (or lack of) this year, why not make time to visit somewhere new with the horse in your life?

Finding a location for our gear guide shoot is never an easy task, so when Ad Manager Evie offered her family home (very near a gorgeous beach), Assistant Editor Sarah could hardly contain her excitement. However, we’ve had more than one spring/summer gear guide shoot snowed off, so expectation management is now her strong point. The weather gods were smiling, though, and shoot day dawned with glorious sunshine and clear blue skies, making the pre-5am alarm totally worth it. We arrived at the beach to find the gorgeous Pepper, owned by Evie’s friend, ready for her starring role in what I think is our best Gear Guide cover shot yet! So, don’t miss our spring/summer Gear Guide magazine that comes free with this issue – we’ve got inspiration for your show-day outfits, this season’s must-have colour and so much more!

Meanwhile, May can only mean one thing – Badminton. Whether you’re excited to see the world’s best battle it out or looking to enjoy the sunshine with friends and indulge in some horsey shopping, it’s the sign that spring is definitely here.

With our fly-busting tips and competition confidence guide, as well as the secret to feeding laminitis-prone equines, a round-up of suitable feeds and fun polework plans to boost your schooling, whatever your feelings on the change of season, we’ve got something for you in this issue of Horse&Rider.