There’s nothing better than hacking out in the summer sunshine, just you and your horse at one with nature. But sometimes that wonderful ride turns into a bit of a trip – I know, I’ve been there. 

Something spooks your horse – in my case it could be a blade of grass, a killer fridge abandoned in a gateway, a carriage pulled by a horse and followed by around four huge hounds (ok, in that instance it was totally understandable). But what do you do if the worst happens and you go out the side door? Speaking personally I always carry a phone with me (as well as polos in case of emergency catching situations) and happily I have never had to use it, managing to either limp home or hang on with no stirrups and by clamping myself to his body.


Now though there’s possibly a better way. Horse & Hound reports news of an app that has just been launched to help riders in desperate situations. The Rider Rescue app sends your location to the company behind the product, PRP Rescue Services, they then send this information on to the emergency services and vets. It sounds like a good idea to me, but what do you think? It costs £15 per year through www.prprescue.me

I’ve just seen this and had to write about it. Obviously (or perhaps not so, depending on if you think wellies, stained jods and horse-spit covered t-shirt are designer), designer is not me, so this collection is not something that is going to feature in my wardrobe anytime soon. And can you even ride in it?

Gucci is to launch an equestrian collection later in 2012, which is “a contemporary tribute to the equestrian tradition and riding heritage that has inspired the House for over 90 years”. I didn’t know that about Gucci – kudos. It’s ready to wear and includes accessories as well as clothes (though I don’t know what they are yet).

The collection is based on pieces designed for Edwina Alexander, who in the blurb I read is described as “the world’s number one female horse-jumper”  – does she only jump female horses or is she a female horse jumper? And surely that should be show jumper as she cannot really jump horses can she? If she can then she is indeed talented.

Colours will be a mixture of classics and neutrals – beige, white, black and blue – and the clothes will be available from November. Looking forward to seeing them and being green with envy.