Life Framer Fotowettbewerb

On day one of the infamous Grand National obstacle steeplechase race another fatal fall , as a result of which a horse had to be euthanised. The gelding Willy de Houelle did not make it over obstacle number 6. According to media reports, he struggled with the race right from the start. In the saddle: jockey Rachael Blackmore, who was the first woman to win both the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. She was taken away by ambulance. The race has claimed the lives of almost 90 horses since its inception. Willy de Houelle ran for Rich Ricci, an American-born investment banker. According to the Sun, he is said to have collected £44 million as a bonus in 2011 alone.

With a different theme each month, the British Life Framer Award honours outstanding contemporary photography. March is dedicated to animals. In the ‘Animal Kingdom’ category, horse motifs have also prevailed in the past, including photographs by Austrian Sabrina Reiter, German Carolin Giese, who lives in Iceland, and scientist and photographer Marketa Zvelebil, who is a renowned cancer researcher in addition to her photographic work.

Petros Koublis also has an eye for horses (when they are in an interesting landscape). The fine art photographer based in New York and Athens is a juror for this category.

Apply:

- Up to 10 images can be submitted online

- The fees are between 20 and 100 dollars, depending on the number of images.

Winners and runners-up will receive 2,000 dollars in prize money and representation in galleries worldwide. The deadline is Friday 28 February.

In April last year, Switzerland made a name for itself as the first country in the world where jockeys voluntarily refrain from using the whip in racing. In 2025, the legislator is following suit in another area. Since February 1, the use of cavessons with metal components that rest unpadded on the nasal bone and twisted or sharp-edged bits has been punishable under new animal welfare regulations. This applies to their use in competition sport as well as during training or handling.

Source: Swiss Equestrian

“Just don't walk the streets alone at night.” A young woman from North Rhine-Westphalia seems to have taken this advice to heart – quite literally. She was spotted a few days into the new year, around 4 a.m., at a petrol station in the town of Meinerzhagen, accompanied by a horse.When the police arrived, she explained she’d taken the large warmblood from a nearby riding stable to avoid being alone. On the bright side, the brown horse had been properly attired in a general-purpose blanket and seemed unfazed by numerous lorries, an approaching snowplow, and the arriving police vehicle.

Source: Bild.de

‍

Ranch owners who save their horses from the flames at the last minute. Animals left behind to await a terrible end and heroes who selflessly and tirelessly help to evacuate the horses. The devastating wildfires and fires in the greater Los Angeles area are pushing people to their limits. Thousands of buildings have been destroyed so far, including many farms. Anyone who would like to help can donate to the Equine Desaster Relief Fund.

‍

Unbelievable but true: although Down Under is teeming with dangerous animals - we're thinking of all the shark and crocodile attacks - it is actually the horse that is responsible for the most fatal accidents in the country. This finding is based on statistics from the NCIS national database. According to this, over 700 fatal accidents were documented between 2001 and 2021 that were blamed on our favorite animals.

Shortly before the Olympic Games in Paris, a video emerged showing Charlotte Dujardin beating a horse during training. The World Equestrian Federation has now imposed a one-year ban and a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs on the Olympic champion. This was accepted by Dujardin. The 39-year-old will miss the European Championships as a result. However, this is unlikely to bother her. She and her partner are expecting their second child in February.

“JoJo” is no longer alive. Frank Ostholt's Olympic horse was an exceptional phenomenon in the sport of eventing: three times German champion, victories in Luhmühlen, team gold at the 2006 World Equestrian Games and multiple participations in European Championships and World Cup finals were his achievements during his lifetime. The athletic chestnut retired in 2026. The German Equestrian Federation visited him for its “Old Heroes” series and drew a beautiful portrait of him.

‍