Lead Photograph: Toy StoryMaria, you immediately came to mind when we were talking about dressage Arabians in the UK. Where did it all begin...

I got my first taste of jumping Arabs when I moved up from my 12.1hh Welsh section B mare onto our Arabian stallion Marcus Aurelius (Aurelian x Fiesta Magica).

Elite British endurance competitor Tricia Hirst recently announced that her French-bred Anglo gelding, Madjin des Pins (Said Lotois x Perlingueta) is retiring from the sport after a stellar career that has spanned almost a decade.

Words by Helen Hennekens-van NesLead Picture: Pistorius The 12th edition of the Emerald Trophy is traditionally held on the first weekend of July, and this year’s...